House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy launched a bid for minority leader Wednesday, moving to assert control over the Republican Conference even as GOP lawmakers begin to grapple with losing their majority on Election Day.
McCarthy already faces a challenge from his right, although the California Republican and his allies believe McCarthy will win this race handily. Rep. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio), one of the founders of the House Freedom Caucus, has already announced he is running for minority leader.
House Majority Whip Steve Scalise (La.) has announced he will run for minority whip in the 116th Congress, which would make McCarthy and Scalise the top two Republicans if they're successful, as expected.
The leadership jockeying comes even before the final tally is made of Tuesday's losses that swept House Republicans out of power after eight years.
"Today is a difficult day. Our members competed hard across the country. But after months of enduring nonstop biased attacks and unprecedented liberal resources, we came short of defying history and holding the House," said the 53-year-old McCarthy in a Wednesday letter to other House Republicans. "Even so, we should not let last night’s results diminish the great gains President Trump and our majority have delivered."
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05.02.2025